Is lying ever justified?

Question

I consider my self honest but of course I did lie before, I don’t know any body who has never lied before!
What makes us label some people liars, is it because they are not very good at lying or is it because they lie more frequently than us?
I would appreciate your opinions.Thank you

Answer 1

The one that comes to mind is lying to postpone someone's possible suicide. Lying might buy some time that would save the person's life. It is definitely bending the truth on behalf of the person in jeopardy. Having that little bit of extra time, something could be quickly put into place that would keep that person alive. Desperate situations require desperate measures. That is one of the few times I believe lying might serve a useful purpose. It is called lying to buy some time to fix the situation. A person who is ready to commit suicide has already bent reality, and lying sometimes can briefly unbend that reality enough, for just a few extra minutes, for some trained professional to jump in and work a miracle. - C.

Answer 2

Yes, Lying can be justified in some situations.

Some situations where lying is wrong or has Legal implications
are as follows:

In a Legal deposition, an Employment application or when applying for Insurance or Testifying in a court Proceeding to name just a few examples.

Situations where a *white Lie* of a lie to save some other person embarrassment. Example: Do you like this Dress on me. The Other Person answers, Yes...You look Lovely. If the Person in the dress looked terrible, Honesty would cause Hurt feelings.

Also, there are Lies which keep a relationship in Balance.

Example: Boy friend asks Girlfriend..... Have you ever heard from your past Lover? The Girl answers: No, I have not heard from him at all. In reality, she had a chance meeting at a book store and they Had coffee at the Local Starbucks and they both agreed this would never happen again.

In this situation the Lie, kept the Relationship in Balance, because the truth would have opened up a complete issue.

There is an Old Saying... It Takes 100 more lies to cover up one Lie.

It is a judgment call for all of us. Full Honest is the Best policy.

Hope this helps. Thank you, Billy

Answer 3

Certainly. I think lying (white lies) can be justified in Business.
That's just a natural consequence of a capitalist society in my view that it can be necessary to get ahead. The goal posts change so often that you can get left behind no matter how good you are.

For example: I have been in my line of work for almost 20 years. When I started out in the 80's it was the culture to go straight into the work place and prove yourself. University's where more for the elite few. So I worked bloody hard and become fantastic at what I do. Every time I change contracts I always take with me fantastic references. But now the whole culture is changing. It does not matter how good you are and how good your CV is. HR departments will just bin it if you don't have a degree. Does it have any bearing on how good you can do the job. None what so ever. So I have purchased a fake degree certificate and on my CV I have a degree. That gets me past the HR department and an Interview. Thats were the real test of your ability's is anyway. Problem solved. I do not intend to be held back after 20 years hard work by some stupid liberal HR departments who have no understanding of the job in the first place.

Is it lying? YES. Do I have a problem with that? NO.
Thats business.

Answer 4

I consider myself to be completely honest I did tell a big lie once when I was a kid and when I saw what my nasty lie had done to the girl involved I hated myself, I owned up to the person that I lied too and made sure the girls name was cleared, I made a vow that I would never ever put anybody through that again, and I would be completely honest with other people and myself, If the need to lie comes up I would just rather not speak. My youngest sister is a compulsive liar and I get so angry with her for it. my youngest brother on the other hand is 100% honest and I love him for it. If you do not want an honest opinion on how you look, you should not ask my little bro ....

Answer 5

There are reason - 'situations' - where a lie is excusable for the safety and protection of others, where it simply may be the best policy in the list of the alternatives.

People are liars for all sorts of reasons, though they generally boil down to a few ~ Defending their selves ~ To win at something ~ To save someone feeling or being hurt. Some people lie without even realising it, it has become ingrained within their way of being: Some lie as a political expedience ~ because of the 'spin' they need to put onto something.

Sash.

Answer 6

Of course lying can be justified. A lie is bad when it betrays the trust of someone who has faith in you, in my opinion. If some thug is tying you to a chair, waving a knife in your face, and you tell him you "know where the diamonds are" to stall some time (even though you really don't know where the diamonds are), it's okay. Period.

Or if a friend bakes some cookies, and you don't like them - in fact they were downright disgusting - and they ask what you thought of them. Do you tell the truth, and hurt their feelings, or do you lie, and risk having to eat more disgusting cookies later? I'd choose the former - that is, if I cared about people's feelings.

So I suppose lying can even be acceptable between two people who trust each other, if the lie is about something totally unimportant like poorly-made baked goods. You get the picture? If you're taking advantage of someone's trust, and the topic of deceit is important, it's wrong. That's my assessment.

Answer 7

Absolutely. Your entire social skills and moral outlook are built upon lying. A lie is not bad per se, it's the reason behind a lie. For example, the old lady next door who's just been widowed phones you to say she thinks she's heard someone outside and could you come and have a look. "You probably think I'm being very silly" she says "I hope I haven't disturbed you" - do you then say "well yes, actually you silly paranoid old cow, I was having an early night" or do you say "oh no, it's fine - I wasn't doing anything - any time you need me, just call" ?

The moral aspect of lying is all about the reason for the lie - and we all know the difference between a good lie and a bad one.

Answer 8

Out and out lying is immoral for the most part. A liar, as you mentioned in your question is someone who lies when truth would be better, without regard for truth in any form.
Relating to other's responses, sometimes little lies, or fibs is indeed noble or just plain smart.
Only a fool would tell his wife or mate that their a*rse looks big!
To tell an ugly child or person that they are ugly outright, for the sake of truth is cruel. Why not come up with something that is less hurtful?
Generally, I prefer truth, but if it is a matter of feelings and no one will get hurt by the telling of a mistruth, or by not saying all, then what is the harm?

Answer 9

I am the most honest person you will meet, only because I am a bloody awful liar and get caught out all the time, I have tried it loads but just get embarrased by getting caught, however I will lie to save someones feelings and protect a loved one ( unless they murdered or sexually abused etc), so yes it can be justified with a good reason,

Answer 10

This is rather difficult to answer, hope I do a decent job here;

Most of us with tell a little "white lie" so we don't offend someone (for example: "honey, does my butt look big in these pants?"...sure...you gonna say "yes", then plan on sleeping on the couch.)

Then there are folks who lie for selfish, devious, rotten reasons. Mostly to benefit themselves (for example: "I only had a couple of girlfriends"...he just slept with half the cheerleading squad on Friday night.)

I saw a study that said men lie to protect themselves and their freedom as opposed to women who lie to protect others. I have found that to be very, very true. Also, it said men lie more than 33% of the time, about anything. Women lie much less about things that would offend someone else. Go figure.